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The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has introduced a Qualifier Round for the AIFF Youth Leagues 2026-27, providing 1-star accredited academies with an opportunity to compete for a place in the Preliminary Round of their respective Youth Leagues.
The Qualifier Round, conducted in a knockout format, will bring together 1-star academies that have completed the AIFF Academy Accreditation process and have the required operational, technical and organisational levels to participate in the competition.
The winners from the Qualifier Round will progress to the Preliminary Round, taking a step closer to competing in the AIFF Youth Leagues 2026-27.
Through this initiative, the AIFF aims to create a wider pathway for academies that are investing in youth development and meeting the required standards under the Academy Accreditation framework. It is intended to encourage the efforts of academies that have undertaken the Academy Accreditation process and are working towards creating a structured and sustainable environment for young footballers.
AIFF Deputy Secretary General Mr M Satyanarayan said, “Academy Accreditation is not just about assessing academies, it is about creating a pathway for them to grow and compete. With the introduction of the Qualifier Round, we are giving 1-star accredited academies an opportunity to test themselves in a competitive environment and earn their place in the AIFF Youth Leagues. We did that last season also. The AIFF is gradually increasing the number of games for the youth teams. We hope this encourages more academies to invest in structured youth development.”
